My m-audio audiophile 2496 has bitten the dust, just as I was getting ready to transfer from some old DAT tapes. I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out, but I'd also like another option. Are there any good external/USB interfaces I should consider? Any advice is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

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LoveBuzz81

My m-audio audiophile 2496 has bitten the dust, just as I was getting ready to transfer from some old DAT tapes. I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out, but I'd also like another option. Are there any good external/USB interfaces I should consider? Any advice is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

If you have a Mac you could buy the first Apogee Duet (Firewire) for under $200. Or UA Apollo Duo.

Thanks everyone. I have a PC. I have a glut of recorders, but none with spdif in. The DATs are 32 and 48khz. Does anyone have suggestions for a relatively inexpensive recorder or interface that would do the job? Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts and advice.

I have never tried it but the group has good instructions and I've seen folks post their thanks for positive results. The first thing to check is if your drive is the right type of drive, and with the correct firmware, as I understand it.

If you have a DAT machine with a working S/Pdif output, the cheap microtrack might be a good option [assume that you'll have to power it with a USB pack for best powering], or why not just buy a replacement MAudio2496 card? (by the way, mAudio made the microtrack!!)

I have never tried it but the group has good instructions and I've seen folks post their thanks for positive results. The first thing to check is if your drive is the right type of drive, and with the correct firmware, as I understand it.

If you have a DAT machine with a working S/Pdif output, the cheap microtrack might be a good option [assume that you'll have to power it with a USB pack for best powering], or why not just buy a replacement MAudio2496 card? (by the way, mAudio made the microtrack!!)

Thanks! I've been reading through all the info re: the DDS drive. The person who gave it to me several years back had used it for DAT transfers, so it *should* have the correct firmware. I just need to figure out which of my old machines has space for it, then tackle it (I'm decent with computers but this setup seems a bit daunting for some reason).

I thought about replacing the MAudio 2496 card (I really loved mine and am unsure why it just stopped working)... but it seems that either the Microtrack 24/96, or an interface of some sort, would be more versatile at this point. I have an old Tascam DA-20mkII, which has S/Pdif output.

It's a good option for analog or digital transfers and there may be some interest here for this as well as other uses (high quality playback with analog, digital, headphone I/O's, mastering, AD/DA, preamps, recording). $600 new and $200 for used older interfaces particularly is a good investment. If a $30 recorder with spdif or replacement maudio card works for you then great. The OP expressed interested in external audio interfaces. "Are there any GOOD external/usb interfaces I should consider?" VERBATIM. "Or an interface of some sort, would be more versatile at this point." Verbatim. What the FUCK do you think this is? The OP didn't state a price range/budget and you aren't going to find any "good" interfaces for $30.

So many classy douchebag "tapers" on this site. I'm not going to get into your passive aggressive internet behavior, but I'll tell you this... your comments and attitude have been noted. Some of you really should learn about reaping what you sow.